Richard B the EMT Posted August 13, 2010 Posted August 13, 2010 On June 3rd, 1993, around 2300 hours local time, a "tramp" freighter ship, named the "Golden Venture", was deliberately run aground at Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area, Rockaway Peninsula, Queens County NYC, NY. Her cargo? 310 would be illegal immigrants, mostly from Fujian Provence, China. After being on the "Venture" for months, they siezed the ship, and simply aimed for the lights on shore. 10 died in the water. I was a part of at least 600 assorted LEO, FD, and EMS personnel who responded 299 persons were seized by an impromptu task force of United States Park Police, the NYPD, US Coast Guard, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FBI, and unarmed security personnel from the Breezy Point Cooperative (a private, gated community next to the old fort). One refugee escaped, and as far as I know, is still at large. The rest were farmed out to federal detention centers up and down the US East Coast, to await hearings re them being released into the US. It took about 5 years to get through them all. One who was sent back to China was found a few years later on another illegal immigrant boat, and after 2 years of processing, WAS allowed entry.
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